| **Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings per share (Policies)** | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
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| **Earnings Per Share [Abstract]**                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]                               | Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.: Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period, exclusive of dilutive securities. Diluted net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and dilutive securities. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in millions, except per share amounts): 2013 2012 2011Numerator:     Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$723 $752 $826Denominator:     Basic weighted average shares outstanding287.0 313.3 324.3Effect of dilutive securities:     Stock options3.2 1.3 2.6Restricted stock units0.4 0.2 0.2Diluted weighted average shares outstanding290.6 314.8 327.1Basic net earnings per share$2.52 $2.40 $2.55Diluted net earnings per share$2.49 $2.39 $2.52Approximately 4.8 million, 18.9 million and 11.5 million shares of common stock subject to stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the diluted net earnings per share computation because they were not dilutive during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. |

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| - Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for computing basic and diluted earnings or loss per share for each class of common stock and participating security. Addresses all significant policy factors, including any antidilutive items that have been excluded from the computation and takes into account stock dividends, splits and reverse splits that occur after the balance sheet date of the latest reporting period but before the issuance of the financial statements.
+ References
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